Fanfiction for m_strangchild - Olympus Awaits, Chapter 2
Title: Olympus Awaits
Fanfiction for: m_strangchild
Three things you'd like in a fic: Porn! An ancient Rome AU where Clark is a gladiator. Hurt/Comfort
Three things you do NOT want in a fic: Lois, anything past season 8, anything where Clark and Chloe don't end up together
Banner art by iluvaqt
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
At Chloe’s announcement, Clark’s already fallen jaw slackened even further. “You’re kidding.”
She scowled at him. “Do I look like I’m kidding? Does this…” she swept her arm around the brightly lit temple - “…look like I’m kidding?”
“Okay, so we somehow ended up in the thirteenth century,” he surmised.
“Somehow?? This is all your fault, Clark!” she yelled. “I told you something weird would happen if we did it in the temple, but noooooo, you just had to desecrate-”
“Shh.”
She gasped. “How dare you shush me when I’m-”
“Quiet.”
She folded her arms and glared at him - and suddenly heard fast approaching footsteps.
“Halt! Who goes there?” someone barked.
“Sentries!” she hissed.
Clark didn’t waste any time. He grabbed her and whooshed her away in seconds, stopping moments later in a large field of wheat.
“Thank goodness you still have your powers,” Chloe breathed as he lowered her to her feet. She looked around. “What is it with you and fields, anyway?”
“Huh,” he murmured. “Home away from home.”
“There’s a dirt road over there; let’s follow it, and see if it leads us to civilisation,” she said briskly.
“Why?”
“Er… hello?” she snarked, pointing to her clothing. “I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck here, but I’d rather we didn’t stick out like sore thumbs until then. I don’t think denim is going to be invented for quite a while, get it?”
“Makes sense.” He took her hand, and they trudged towards the dirt road and started making their way south.
“We need to figure out exactly where we are, why we’re here, and how we’re going to get back,” Chloe mused.
“Well, if sex brought us here, maybe if we do it again, it’ll take us back?” he suggested.
Chloe gaped. “How can you even think about sex at a time like this?”
“It was just a suggestion!” he said defensively. “And not outside the realm of probabilities.”
“Don’t make me hurt you, Clark. I do know how.”
The tell-tale sound of approaching hooves clopping on the road made them stiffen and duck back into the wheat fields. Chloe sniffed the air experimentally as he went past.
“Do you think he has food?” she said excitedly. “I don’t know about you, but all this paranormal time-hopping has made me really hungry.”
“Wait here.” He zipped away, and a few moments later returned to her with an armful of homespun fabric.
“No food, I’m afraid,” he said apologetically. “But he must have been a cloth merchant, because he had tons of fabric; so I grabbed a bale when he wasn’t looking.”
“Well, I hope your toga-making skills are up to scratch,” she said dryly as he uncurled the roll of material on the ground.
Clark smiled. “I’ll do my best.”
***
Two homemade togas and thirty minutes of walking later, Chloe spoke.
“Okay, now I’m really hungry,” she said weakly, holding her belly. “Thirsty, too.”
“There’s all the wheat you can eat right here,” Clark said, infusing his voice with cheer.
She gave him an unamused look. “I am not going to graze like some cow. If you can turn it all into bread in the next five minutes, then my all means make yourself at home, but-”
They stopped suddenly, coming face to face with a man bent over a broken-down cart, his belongings scattered all over the road.
He looked up at them and his brows went up in surprise, and relief.
“Good day, good people,” he greeted, straightening. “May I impose upon you for some assistance with my carriage, please? I fear this is something I cannot repair on my own.”
Clark stepped forward and examined the damage. “The wheel axle is broken, sir,” he said. “I may be able to fix it, but I’m not sure how long it’ll hold out. Do you still have far to go?”
“About another mile hence to my farm,” he replied wearily.
“That should do.” He bent down to begin, then realised he wouldn’t be able to help without revealing his abilities.
The perplexed look on the man’s face mirrored his dilemma. “But how can you make repairs without tools?” he asked curiously.
“His father is a farmer, sir,” Chloe cut in. “He is very familiar with carts and wagons, and a skilled craftsman.”
“I see.” He looked dubious, but not inclined to question the matter further.
“Perhaps we can recover all your items whilst he works?” she suggested, and surreptitiously steered him towards the furthest of his fallen belongings.
Clark heaved a sigh of relief and got to work. Chloe ensured the farmer’s attention was occupied by retrieving his items, and by the time they returned to the cart, Clark had managed to crudely complete his task.
“It’s not perfect, but it should hold until you get to your farm,” he said.
“Your assistance is greatly appreciated, kind people,” the farmer said, a huge smile on his face. “If there is anything I can do for you…maybe take you some part of the way on your journey? Night approaches fast in these parts.”
“Actually, we’re in urgent need of shelter and food,” Clark replied hopefully. “I’d be happy to do some chores in exchange for a hot meal and perhaps a bed for the night for us both.”
“T’would be the least I could offer you for helping with my cart,” he said with a broad smile. He waved them towards the vehicle. “Come. Let us become better acquainted.”
***
Chapter 3…